A special election will be held on November 8, the same day as the general election, to fill the state’s First Congressional District seat. Rep. Ed Whitfield, who already stated he would not seek reelection, announced his resignation last week amid concerns he granted special favors to his lobbyist wife. His resignation was effective on September 6.

Gov. Matt Bevin announced the special election will be held to fill the seat for the final two months of the term. Republican nominee James Comer, who was already running to take Whitfield’s place, is expected to be the nominee in special election as well.

A judge has ordered a special election for House District 78 after a candidate lost the Democratic primary by roughly 90 votes. Although Bruce Franks won the in-person vote, his opponent’s margin of victory came solely from absentee ballots. Franks filed suit alleging people who cast absentee ballots did not qualify to apply for them.

Circuit court judge Rex Burlison ordered a special election be held September 16 because the board of elections violated state law by failing to require all absentee votes be in the proper absentee ballot envelopes.

The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session today, September 12. State lawmakers have been tasked with fixing the state’s drunken driving law to prevent a loss in federal highway funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation will withhold funds if the state does not change the maximum allowable blood alcohol content for drivers under 21 in order to comply with federal rules.

Gov. Bill Haslam expects the session to last up to three days.

Photo of the Tennessee House Chamber floor by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.

The Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit advocate for reforming marijuana laws, and the Institute for Justice filed a First Amendment challenge in federal court to Alabama’s training requirement for lobbyists.

The training class is mandatory and held four times a year in Montgomery.

The Marijuana Policy Project is asking the court to block the burdensome requirement as it infringes on the right to talk to government officials about matters of public policy.

Gov. Paul LePage stated he would not be resigning over his alleged racist remarks and profanity-laced voicemail to Rep. Drew Gattine. LePage has publicly apologized to the citizens of Maine and privately to Gattine for his actions.

Democratic members of the Legislature wanted a special session in order to issue an official censure of LePage’s behavior.

On August 29, 2016, Republican legislative leaders responded to the controversy by convening a closed-door meeting with LePage to discuss his future in politics.

Photo of Gov. Paul LePage by MattGagnon on Wikimedia Commons.

On August 31, 2016, the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices adopted a rule clarifying the “house party” exception from the definition of contribution. Following complaints the exception amounted to undisclosed contributions, the commission adopted a rule stating the costs of food and beverages are exempt only if they relate to the personal services provided by the volunteer and only if paid for by a single volunteer.

The rule will be effective following certification from the secretary of state.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued a report Monday revealing a potentially illegal checking account used by legislators to collect contributions from lobbying firms.

The account is purportedly used by the Senate to fund late-night meals during the legislative session. According to Galloway’s report, actively soliciting contributions from lobbyists is a conflict of interest.

Since the audit, Senate officials have vowed to find other ways to purchase meals as necessary.

Photo of State Auditor Nicole Galloway by Nicole Galloway for Missouri on Wikimedia Commons.

On August 18, the city of Tempe, Arizona passed an ordinance creating a lobbying law.

Ordinance No. O2016.46 creates a lobbyist registration program requiring an individual to file a registration statement with the city clerk within 10 calendar days. Lobbying is defined as a communication with any public official for the purpose of influencing official action. Lobbyists are required to file annual expenditure reports covering a calendar year no later than January 31 following the reportable year.

The ordinance provides exceptions to registration, definitions, and other information relating to lobbyist disclosure and becomes effective on January 1, 2017.

Photo of the Tempe skyline by Schwnj on Wikimedia Commons.

On August 30, 2016, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced state Rep. Bill Gossage as his deputy chief of staff for external operations. As a result, Gossage is resigning as the House District 82 representative.

Hutchinson will not call a special election to fill the remainder of Gossage’s term because the vacancy will be filled within 150 days, as required by law. The state Republican party will be responsible for selecting a nominee to run in Gossage’s place.

Gossage was running unopposed in the November 8 general election, and other political parties will be unable to run a candidate in this race as the filing deadline has already passed.

Photo of Bill Gossage courtesy of the Arkansas House of Representatives website.

On August 31, the California Legislature adjourned its regular session.

Before adjourning, the Legislature sent several ethics bills to Gov. Jerry Brown, including Senate Bill 215, which contains provisions requiring those seeking to influence actions taken by the Public Utilities Commission to register as a lobbyists.

Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto legislation.

On September 1, new provisions in the city of Austin’s campaign finance laws take effect.

Ordinance No. 20160623-020 increases disclosure requirements for nonprofits and independent groups making political contributions or expenditures in excess of $500. These organizations are required to report the identities of who contributed to them unless the donation was directed to not be used for political purposes. Contributions for investments and commercial transactions also do not require disclosure of the contributor.

Another part of the ordinance, not effective until February 1, 2017, requires intermediaries transferring more than $500 for political campaign purposes to disclose details of the transfers, including the occupation and employer of the person making the transfer and the purpose and description of each transfer.

The coat of arms of Austin, Texas by Glasshouse on Wikimedia Commons.

The California Legislature has been very active in the days leading up to the August 31 deadline for each house to pass bills. On August 30, Assembly Bill 700, a measure that would impose new disclosure requirements for political advertisements, failed by a single vote in the Senate.

Senate Bill 1349 had better luck gaining passage yesterday and is headed for Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk. SB 1349 will require changes to Cal-Access, California’s outdated online campaign contribution and lobbying database.

Photo of the California State Capitol by Griffin5 on Wikimedia Commons.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo has called an impromptu meeting of the House of Representatives to discuss the struggling Kentucky Retirement System and Kentucky Teachers Retirement System. Stumbo cited poor returns and high placement fees for investment managers in an email sent to all members of the House.

All members of the House are invited to the Tuesday morning meeting, but Republicans are expected to boycott. Minority Leader Jeff Hoover criticized the timing of the meeting, as it coincides with a Democratic fundraiser taking place in Frankfort.

Hoover was also puzzled by Stumbo’s sudden interest in the topic, arguing the Democrats care now only because it will be an issue in the upcoming elections.

Photo of House Speaker Greg Stumbo courtesy of the Kentucky Legislature website.

Effective September 3, 2016, city elected officials in San Francisco will be prohibited from controlling candidate controlled general purpose committees.

The goal of the new ordinance is to stop elected officials from establishing such committees to use as slush funds for unlimited contributions.

Candidates controlling candidate controlled general purpose committees will be required to return, use, or dispose of all committee funds within 90 days of taking office.